haunted theatre au psl

[showbaka]

Truly, this challenge could have only been trusted with a future star such as myself! No wonder I got dragged into this. Even this theatre and the ghosts residing in it recognize my talent!

[Is how Tsukasa chooses to make himself feel better about his predicament. Not that he hasn't done his fair share of panicking and would continue to do so, but panicking wouldn't solve this. Yes, this is but a stepping stone in his career!

One he isn't too thrilled about and never could have predicted, but a still a stepping stone. The only thing that would get him out of this mess would be his skills as an actor. But there is the whole issue of getting visitors to stick around long enough to act. The place is creepy. Signs of abandonment are showing as its popularity declined over the years with no one wanting or able to take care of it. Even Tsukasa has to admit it looks different from how he remembers. To make matters worse, his attempts to draw in visitors have been doing the opposite. He can reach people with his voice, he can interact with the props and theatre, but no one has managed to see him. All of his rehearsals end up backfiring with visitors panicking about the theatre being haunted and leaving as fast as possible.

His shoulders fall as he watches a group of people do just that. They whisper to eachother about how the ghosts here are a lot louder than they imagined and...kind of annoying for a ghost? No one sees Tsukasa stagger back at the insult as if injured.]

I'm not a ghost!

[Even if he is transparent, and can't get hurt, he's definitely not a ghost! But his shouting does the opposite and the visitors leave the theatre empty again other than of Tsukasa and the actual ghosts.

The stage lights turn on, flooding the auditorium and stage in a dazzling light. In that moment, Tsukasa can almost see the same sparkle it had when he and Saki visited. There's laughter as some of the residents of the theatre emerge to perform one of their favorite shows. Scrambling off the stage, Tsukasa meanders and starts tidying up where he can--dusting the shelves, rearranging items, bringing belongings to the lost and found that no one ever visits. He still tries to avoid the ghosts when possible. They're the reason he's in this mess.]

A welcoming and neat appearance will attract more of an audience!

[And no one in their right mind would visit a haunted theatre at this hour!]

Comments

[showbaka]

[She’s so reliable!

Tsukasa gets up early and starts working on the costumes…maybe he can tidy up more if he has time.]

[depressured]

[ And eventually, Mafuyu will return, carrying a slightly bigger bag than before. ]

Tenma-san?

[showbaka]

Asahina-san!

[Tsukasa is waiting at the entrance. He hasn’t been waiting for hours, don’t worry. He holds his hands out, offering to take her bag.]

Did you sleep well?

[depressured]

Yes, thank you.

But I also brought you a meal.

[ Since he's stuck here. So yes, he can have the bag. It's got more fliers on the top of it, too. ]

[showbaka]

Thank you, Asahina-san for thinking of me! [His face lights up when she mentions food. He's been hungrier than he thought!]

A meal is perfect to start our glorious day.

[depressured]

I see that you're as, ah... effervescent as ever.

[ "Glorious"? ]

[showbaka]

Yes! I am well-rested!

[His hand is splayed across his chest, dramatically.]

And brimming with energy and enthusiasm for the day!

[depressured]

I'm glad to hear it.

[ With a nod to the bag. Breakfast first, sir. ]

What did you want to work on today?

[showbaka]

[Breakfast! Delicious food! He looks sheepish that she figured out his plan to get straight to work.]

There are a couple of scenes I'd like to go over. I also started working on the costume and some of the props, and your input would be valued! I had an idea to get more into character, too...what if you were to ignore me for half the day, Asahina-san?

[depressured]

... Eh?

[ Sorry, she's just going to blink at him, a little slowly. Like she's not sure she heard him correctly. ]

You... want me to ignore you?

[showbaka]

Yes! I was thinking about how could I feel more despair similar to our protagonist? And I thought that would be a good way to!

[depressured]

[ ... Imagine having to make yourself feel despair-- ]

And you're sure you're fine with that?

[showbaka]

I want everyone to have the best show possible and put smiles on everyone's faces! Of course I am fine with anything it takes to do that!

[depressured]

Well, if that's what you want...

[ She can... ignore him. He's encouraging it, after all. ]

[showbaka]

Wonderful! We can start after breakfast and choosing our assignments. That way there is no confusion!

[depressured]

Alright. Then, please enjoy the meal, Tenma-san. And feel free to tell me if there's anything you don't like.

[ Some people are picky. ]

[showbaka]

Thank you, Asahina-san! I'm sure it will be delicious! [He beams and starts heading for the kitchen, but he pauses mid-step.] Are you going to eat?

[depressured]

Oh, I ate something light before I came here.

[ She has access to food, after all. ]

[showbaka]

Yes...that is a wise choice! Perhaps we could discuss our next steps while I eat.

[He doesn't want her to get too bored!]

[depressured]

[ He doesn't know how long she could stare at an empty aquarium-- ]

Yes, that sounds like a good idea. We might as well multitask.

[showbaka]

[Mafuyu...that's concerning]

I agree! If we get an early start, we can accomplish even more today. [Reaching the kitchen, he sets the bag at the table, sitting down.] It smells delicious!

[depressured]

I'm glad to hear it. If I made something you didn't like, please feel free to avoid that portion.

[ Just in case. ]

[showbaka]

Nonsense! Every bite should be savored. I won’t put your hard work to waste.

[He carefully takes the food out of the bag.]

Thank you again, Asahina-san!

[depressured]

You're very welcome. I wish my friend was a little more willing to eat things she didn't like...

[ Tsukasa seems like someone who'd eat his carrots. ]

[showbaka]

Is that so? Are you too perhaps friends with a picky eater?